Prisoner Exchange Begins in Gaza as Red Cross Confirms First Transfers
Shortly after midnight, rows of buses lined the street outside the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) offices in Deir al-Balah as preparations for the handover got underway. Palestinian sources said that both sides had finalized the exchange lists, and transfers were scheduled to start at 08:00 local time.
The Israeli military said on X that it had received confirmation from the ICRC that Hamas had handed over seven captives. The Red Cross, it added, is now en route to deliver them to Israeli military and Shin Bet forces inside Gaza.
According to reports by the Palestinian Quds Network, the exchange plan involves releasing Israeli captives in two rounds at 08:00 and 10:00, followed by the release of Palestinian prisoners at 10:00.
Under the deal, Hamas is to deliver 20 Israeli captives alive and return the remains of 28 others, while Israel will free roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Families and officials said that the list includes about 250 Palestinians serving long sentences and nearly 1,700 others detained during the most recent Israeli assault on Gaza.
Red Cross personnel have been supervising the transfers, processing names, and organizing the movement of vehicles carrying freed captives out of Gaza to a military reception point south of the occupied territories.
Read More:
The exchange comes as US President Donald Trump visits the region for a summit in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, where discussions on the next stage of the ceasefire process are underway.
Before departing Washington, Trump declared that the war was over and is expected to arrive in occupied territories shortly after the completion of the handovers.
Mediators involved in the negotiations said the broader arrangement includes phased military withdrawals, international monitoring, and a transition in Gaza’s administration designed to avoid a return to violence. Still, many Palestinians remain doubtful that these measures will translate into lasting justice or genuine self-determination.
More than 67,000 Palestinians were killed during more than two years of relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza. Thousands more are believed to be dead and under the rubble.
Source: Agencies
